Do I want a Client Server-based EMR software, or will Web-based software be more efficient for our practice?
Which EMR model will work better for my practice: Client Server or web-based EMR?
Do you want your EMR software to reside on your own computers, and be maintained solely by your practice – or would you rather purchase SAAS (Software as a Service) web-based EMR?
You may be asking yourself what I am referring to, but this is a critical component for your Electronic Medical Records program and is a component that is often overlooked. The electronic data interchange or EDI is one of the most vital parts of a functional and efficient EMR program. EDI is the communication vehicle that enables the transfer or sharing of health information which is one of the central goals on an electronic health record.
I am specifically referring to the bi-directional interface available for the lab and prescription component of your EMR program. You basically have two options when moving to an electronic interchange with your laboratory or pharmacy and those two options are Uni-Directional or Bi-Directional.
The two most widely used platforms for practice management and electronic records software is ASP (Application Service Provider) or Locally Hosted or Client Server.
Software that utilizes an ASP platform are sometimes referred to as On Demand Software or SaaS (Software as a Service). You may hear the term SaaS so we will give you a brief overview of this as well.
Software as a Service (SaaS, typically pronounced ‘sass’) is a model of software deployment whereby a provider licenses an application to customers for use as a service on demand. SaaS software vendors may host the application on their own web servers or download the application to the consumer device, disabling it after use or after the on-demand contract expires.
The other option is for clients to host the software on their internal server and purchase the licenses outright. This requires substantial capital and an internal IT department that can constantly stay on top of maintaining the server. Servers are typically out of date within 3-4 years so this model is only for those clients that can afford to update and repair the internal network.
With an ASP, the EMR application, the database (where all the patient data is stored), and computer responsible for running it (called a server) all reside in a central location outside the physician’s office, and are maintained by the EMR vendor or other third party. Clinicians and staff use a secure log-in over the Internet to access the EMR — not unlike the way they would access a secure banking site (although ASPs offer much tighter security). In contrast, with a client-server EMR system, the practice purchases and maintains the server locally.
Functionality
There is a lot of talk about the different models of EMR implementation and the question is always, what is best for ME?
It Depends…
How is that for an unequivacol answer. That is the truth when it comes to EMR, there are so many different practice types out there that it is important to remember that there is not a one size fits all for EMR.
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